Wow, Wendelah, I don't really know you, but I think you need to STFU with that crap.
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For those of you that feel that "lame" and "crazy" are on par with "retarded", well, that is certainly your right. However, rather than use those words to justify the use by yourself or anyone else, from the guy next door to the POTUS (who I realize never used the word), as derisive terms, why don't you do what Betsy and Sarah and many others are suggesting - educate others on why those words are hurtful, and encourage other descriptors. I think you'd get a lot farther on that approach than the one you're taking in this thread.
Yeah, but I seriously doubt that people with mental disabilities throw around "retard" or "retarded" in a disparaging manner.
You'd be surprised. That's the sad thing, IMO. These people have been shit on their entire lives (and, more often than not, have difficulty with a lot of social skills). So, just like the bullies who got bullied, some of the more higher functioning people will pick on the lower functioning people. There's a trickle down effect.
Which is another reason, even if you make the choice to use the language and thump your chest because it's your right, golly gosh darn it, you may want to reconsider your choice in words.
So, just like the bullies who got bullied, some of the more higher functioning people will pick on the lower functioning people. There's a trickle down effect.
This is very true. My mom's cousin always points out that he's 'not retarded, like those kids!' even though he is.
I dream in emails, worn-out phrases
Mile after mile of just empty pages
Why am I a bitch for saying that? The thread in question was one that OMB participated in and said she was upset and irritated by comments such as "you should be grateful."
Obviously I am guessing she is more hurt by the use of the word "retarded."
"Every man is my superior in some way. In that, I learn of him" - Emerson
I don't understand why this is even an issue-with ALL the words in the English language you are defending something that hurts people and classifies them. WHY??
How will you feel the first time you daughter comes home school and tells you that a classmate called her a retard? Will you just say "Oh honey that just means you are silly"
Wow, Wendelah, I don't really know you, but I think you need to STFU with that crap.
Like I said--I got angry reading this thread. This is a discussion in which someone is genuinely hurt. And it's spiraling into defense of the term and comparisons which aren't on the same level. It's ridiculous. I'm blown away that the mother of a special needs kid is coming on here and being told this shit and *I* am the dense bitch who needs to STFU.
That's all. This is just making me angrier.
"Every man is my superior in some way. In that, I learn of him" - Emerson
Why am I a bitch for saying that? The thread in question was one that OMB participated in and said she was upset and irritated by comments such as "you should be grateful."
Obviously I am guessing she is more hurt by the use of the word "retarded."
Obviously, I am guessing that you think this means she doesn't have the right to be offended by the comments in the c-section thread then.
Did that seem like a big leap?
Hopefully so, because your mention of that thread here, referencing a specific poster participating in both threads, as though the two have ANYTHING to do with each other is equally ludicrous.
You are picking on someone who is standing up for her opinion AND trying to educate people so that her son (and other people, as well) are protected from ignorant use of language by ignorant or incompassionate people.
ETA: I just got a notice in my email that you replied to my post...how is suggesting that we ask OMB which one of two situations is more painful DEFENDING her, which is what it would appear you're saying you're trying to do??
Didn't we all just go round and round about how using the words "you should be grateful" can be hurtful. And a bunch of us were told to grow a thicker skin and since it wasn't meant in a hurtful way, get over it.
That's what I was referencing. I didn't just pull c-sections out of the air. That thread was in reference to c-sections.
The two situations are not comparable at all, which Dionysia pointed out and which I reinforced with my comment.
"Every man is my superior in some way. In that, I learn of him" - Emerson
I guess the only question is why you would continue to use this word when so many people are telling you it hurts? Is it so meaningful to you?
When in gawd's name did I say I ever use the word retarded? Seriously. I love how you are SO offended by what I "say" when you so clearly do not read my posts. I never once said I use that word. I was trying to make the freaking point that offense is relative. What is a huge deal to one person isn't that huge of a deal to someone else. Why that is such an insensitive opinion is beyond me.
But whatev, Wendalah is the enemy now. Go get her!
CC should be happy. This is the busiest any thread has been in a long time!
Last edited by imagirliegirl; 03-25-2009 at 10:32 AM.
Reason: oh yeah that!
Why do people kill people who kill people to show people that to kill people - is bad?
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Originally Posted by wendalah
I was trying to make the freaking point that offense is relative. What is a huge deal to one person isn't that huge of a deal to someone else. Why that is such an insensitive opinion is beyond me. 
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